Athyrium niponicum Pictum ‘Japanese Painted Fern’

The Japanese Painted Fern has unusual metallic blue and silvery-green foliage with red stems. It really is a very attractive perennial fern for its unique color and texture. It is popular due to its hardiness nearly everywhere in the United States, except in the desert and northernmost areas in zone 3. This lovely fern, which prefers partial to full shade, makes an outstanding combination plant for adding color, texture, and habit to landscape beds and containers. It grows 12Ã¢â‚¬â€œ20 inches tall and forms neat clumps in the garden. The magnificent texture and color of the fronds electrify shady areas of the garden and make the fern a wonderful companion for a variety of shade plants.

Ferns are perfect for the background of the garden or in a woodland setting. Their gracefulness make them especially suited for companions to the Hosta. Performs well in sun but prefers partial shade.

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Description

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FN100

Athyrium niponicum Pictum 'Japanese Painted Fern'

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Plant Details +

Size

#1

Height

12-20"

Spacing

18"

Hardiness

Zones 4-9

Exposure

Partial Shade to Full Shade

Foliage

Blue, Silvery-Green fronds

Flower

Non-flowering

Bloomtime

Non-flowering

General Information +

Botanical: Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'

Common: Japanese Painted Fern

Family: Dryopteridaceae

General Characteristics: Japanese painted fern is one of the most popular cultivated ferns. It is a deciduous fern with a weeping habit. This Fern provides a nice contrast to other shade-loving perennials such as hosta, bleeding heart, columbine, astilbe and coral bells. A popular combination is Japanese painted fern with Hosta 'Patriot' and 'Ginko Craig'.

Planting/Care Instructions +

Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs and snails may chew on the fronds.

Planting Instructions: May be planted in any well-drained soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly. This fern needs a compost-rich soil and flourishes where moisture and humidity abound. 'Pictum' grows best in part to full shade. The best frond color results in light shade. In the south, a few hours of morning sun will bring out the high colors. In the north they will take more morning sun without sunburning. The colors are more intense in the spring or in cooler temperatures or in cooler climates such as the Northwest. Add 2-3 inches of compost or peat moss to the beds each spring or fall. This fern is extremely reliable when grown in the proper environmental conditions. Remove dead foliage in early winter or early spring. New growth will come up from ground each year. Its colorful foliage should be vibrant from early spring until frost, when it will go dormant and reemerge with its excellent foliage the next spring.